Tour Scotland reports that the country “is home to more than 1,500 castles, each of which has a distinct appearance and design that symbolises the history of the nation.”
Scottish castles and Scottish clans go hand in hand as these seats of power were at the heart of ruthless battles fought between factions seeking to protect or conquer land.
Our heritage is filled with stories about these fortresses and, much like place names in Scotland, many Castle names reflect our linguistic heritage too e.g., Inveraray Castle stems from the Scottish Gaelic ‘Inbhir Aora’ meaning “mouth of the Aray”.
5. Duntrune Castle
Duntrune Castle rests on the north side of Loch Crinan near the village of Crinan in Argyll. It is considered one of the few ‘surviving’ examples of Norman-influenced settlements that are associated with 12th century Scotland. Photo: Howard Cleveland on Geograph
6. Doune Castle
Doune Castle is a medieval settlement located near the village of Doune in the Stirling area. The castle is famous for being a stronghold back in its day but nowadays is better known as Castle Leoch from the Outlander series. Photo: via WikiCommons
7. Blair Castle
Blair Castle can be found near the village of Blair Atholl in the gorgeous region of Perthshire. The oldest part of the castle as it stands today dates back to 1269 and is referred to as “Comyn’s Tower”. Photo: via WikiCommons
8. Kisimul Castle
Kisimul Castle stands on a rocky islet in a bay just off the coast of Barra; you can only access it via boat ride. The name “Kisimul” is said to come from the castle’s Gaelic and Nordic heritage - the Gaelic name “Caisteal Chiosmuil” means ‘castle of the rock of the small bay’. Photo: via WikiCommons